Dragonslayer 1990 Series II for sale (probably!)

[ingmar]

I think I might sell my Dragonslayer, sniff! I am too much of a whimp to really use, afraid of it getting damaged during a gig or a rehearsal. There are pictures in the Showcase: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1459.html?1037581699
It is a 34 scale Series II Cocobolo front and back, LEDs on side and front (laser). THe latter are controlled by a rotary switch. It is not as new but in good condition, it is an awesome guitar and has been played in consequence. One of the Omega horns broke off while while in posession of her first owner, and was professionally repaired by Alembic. A fine line is visible up close, but the varnish was redone and nothing can be felt. Some slight corrosion spots are visible on 2 of the gold plated tuners. There are no belt buckle marks, neck and frets are perfect.
 
The engraved brass plates are original Alembic. The bass comes with the case (like new inside, some wear outside) a rackmount DS5-R power supply and a cable which I am in the process of fixing by replacing the multipair cable as the original is giving some signs of weakness. Also included is an unmounted golden pair of straplocks.
I never thought I would sell this bass, but I am not worthy and also as said above, I don't ever take it out.
I paid 7500? for this bass 2 years ago. A good offer might motivate me to sell. I am located in Paris / France. Please send any questions to i@ztup.com, and I am on the forum from time to time. It is not advertized anywhere else, so I don't think there is any rush.
 

[palembic]

Brother Ingmar ...
 
long time no see!
I just wanted to invcite you as the only FRench player I know for a bit.
Damned!
Sorry for saying but ...you're nuts!!!!!
 
Paul the bad one
 
 
PS mt stockings ...where are my stockings

[ingmar]

Hey Paul,  
I agree I'm nuts! But then I'm not French but only a German expat! I'm sure I'll regret this in the long run, but since I don't dare to take it out and since my wife put me on a music budget (sigh)... and then, it's not sold yet ;-) When I took it off the previous owner, a tear rolled down his cheek, i didn't understand then, but I do now!
 
What is that about the stockings? Do you have my address? Heeeeeellllllppppp!
Cheers, Ingmar

[rraymond]

Wow, I'm lookin' at this bass and I'm all drooling and stuff and thinking I should spring for it - then I read this story about the tear, and I think, I couldn't do that to a fellow Alembician. Keep it, take it out and play it. Alembic builds more than just instruments, they are clearly works-of-art in their own right but, it's kind of an instrument's destiny to get those dings, scratches and gasp occassional gouges! It's just the way it is and it adds to the mojo of the instrument. (Climbing down from soapbox.) It is a beautiful bass and I hope you decide to keep it! Good luck! Reid

[ingmar]

Oh Lord, I'm still up and it's already 2:45 am over here! Reid, I just don't dare to bring it out, it is beyond logic! There are some more pictures on my site if you're interested: http://www.ztup.com/bassindex.htm  

[palembic]

Brother Ingmar,  
 
let's do some talking.  
If the reason for selling the bass is I want something that suits me more ...that's it. You are in a MAAM (Malthumb's Alembic Acquisitian Method) but than probably not another Alembic. Well if Senior Management keeps investment low for instruments and stuff so ...you have to give in on one to obtain another one. Well ...that's life.  Statistically only 10% of Senior Managements understand what it's all about.  
 
OTOH ...if you want to sell because it stays in his closet ...well ...with all respect but THAT reason sucks. Except if you want to start the Alembic Museum but IMHO ...that's not up to you.  
That guitar is MADE to be on the road. Bonnie (my 5 string) has been my exclusive bass on the road for about 5 years now. I KNOW I'm carrying around a more or less 10000$ bass and I AM carefull about here but ...hey ...if I wanted a bass to LOOK at I asked for a picture. Bonnie has the scratches of being with me in a lot of places. I read once here on a thread that
 damage on the point of the headstock indicates not caring bassplayers.
 Well ...than I am in that man's eyes not caring but  I can't bother. Bonnie's with me, on stage, in my life and she got the scratches on her body like I have scratches on my mind, soul and heart just by living this life.  
Someone called it street credibility.If one have a mint conditioned guitar I always ask: is it playable?? And in most cases it isn't!  
 
My first Alembic is sold and seems to be in Italy with a club member and having a good and active life. My Senior Management regrets even more the day that she begged me to sell to pay my taxes.  
Get that guitar and strart playing in the first gig you have, enjoy but be carefull and ACCEPT the fact that you -and she- are alive ...with whatever may come!!!  
 
Paul the bad one
 
BTW: you play a georguous EBS rig if I rember well. EBS and Alembic I bet THAT thunders!!!
 
(Message edited by palembic on April 11, 2004)

[ingmar]

Paul, I think you're right, I'm in halfway in MAAM lol! I love the Dragonslayer, no doubt! The only dislikes I could come up with are a) the weight (I am lazy) and b)the length of the case! It hardly fits between the rear doors of my Mercedes E, almost had to buy an S-Class to go with the bass, forget about the boot! I will replace that car, I promise! But I can't help worrying about it being broken/stolen/lost/scratched/raped ... and senior management is certainly in the 90% range!
Ingmar

[alembic76407]

Brother Ingmar, do you worry about somebody plowing into your E-Class, or stealing it, life's to short to worry about what may happen, prepair yourself for the worst, the mostlikley you will be pleasantly suprised when nothing happens. as far as cases go, nobody likes those big thing, but think of it this way, it take's a big garage to park the Rolls Royce of bass guitars
 
David T (TLO)

[ingmar]

Brother David, my E-Class is insured! I'm begging that someone steals it, the insurance value is higher than the street price!

[eastcoastepic]

Paul TBO,
  Very well said.....I put the smallest of dings on the peghead my Triple O at rehearsal last Sunday, and was very upset at the time. After reading your words of wisdom, I realize that I can leave her safely home and just look at her, or take her out into the world with a small amount of risk, and ENJOY her. I think I will choose to take her out......
 
Brother Ingmar, unless the tax collector is at your door, hold onto her (she loves you).
 
Chris

[lembic76450]

I have to side in with Brother Paul very much so on this issue. I too would be shoved into the not caring bass player category. The point at the top of my headstock, or the whole  headstock for that matter, wears the scars of many a drummers cymbals. The point being, I bought my Series so I too could have the Alembic sound. If you fear taking you wheels out of the garage, buy a used truck. My Series has survived, as have I, and we haved earned every scar. Does it alter the market value, I'm sure it does. Have I enjoyed the Alembic sound for the last 26 years, you bet. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Alembic art adorning my walls, but, I have loved having my art adorning my sound.  
Ingmar, will you be heart broken at the first ding, of course you will. Will you have the sound that will drive every other bass player crazy? You bet. Life evens out, you can always
send back to the Alembic body shop every few years if it really bothers you.  
Just my thoughts.
Kenn R.  

[ingmar]

Chris, the tax collector is not at my door, however voluntary unemployment (midlife ... need to rethink lots of things!) is coming up. I did not really have to worry about my gear budget before.
 
Kenn, if logistics were not such an issue, I'd be camping outside the Alembic factory. Unfortunately, from France it is quite complicated to bring a guitar to California. The airlines (even the American ones) have minimal luggage allowances, no fragile special handling etc ... I'm really jealous when I see US tourists arriving in Nice/France with bicycles, surfboards and trailors full of luggage. Here Air Chance can even refuse to take an item last minute if it's not the standard case size. (I guess there's a reason why they're the most profitable airline in the world!)
Another thing about the Dragonslayer: the sound is just perfect, the E string is the best I have ever experienced and this is most likely due to age and/or luck. I tried 2 other Series II (one new, one '94 or '95) and a Series I, they didn't come anywhere close. A refinish might just upset that perfect balance, who knows?

[palembic]

Oh Ingmar ...for that stockings thing ...take a peep at http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/9283.html?1081496973

[hollis]

Hi Ingmar,
 
I'm glad you got some rest.... Here's my two cents..
I agree with PTBO and it looks like everyone else.  The instrument was made to be played...Play it!
 
If you're consumed by the thoughts of what will be...could you please e-mail me next weeks' Lotto numbers? I could use the money.
 
If you're worried about a ding or two, how much worse will you feel when Dragonslayer is no longer yours? Take the bass out, if it can slay dragons, what are a few dents for the service
along the way?

[ingmar]

Hi Hollis,
 
Here are the numbers: 2.5.17.18.33.37 + 12
Good luck!